Electric light



E. P. SEGHERS ELECTRIC LIGHT June 20, 1933.

Filed Aug. 19. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 20, 1933. E s s 1,914,583-

ELECTRIC LIGHT FiledAug. 19, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aim;-

Patented June 20, 1933 UNITED STATES mum. r. momma, or cmcaeo, moreELECTRIC LIGHT Application m August 10, 1920. Serial 110. 180,158.

This invention relates to lighting apparatus, and has for its object theprovision of means whereby a defective bulb in a series ma beconveniently detected. i

'6' 1 1 1 the invention is exemplified in the combination andarrangement of parts shown in the accompanylng drawings and described inthe following specification, and it is more particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a lighting system to which the presentinvention is applied.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of an electric light socket having a bulb inplace therein and showing one form of mechanism for short-circuiting thebulb.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a modified form of short-circuitingsockets.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the supporting hook shown inFig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a different modification ofthe invention.

Fig. 6 is an elevation with parts in section of an electric light globehaving means thereon for permitting the filament to be short-circuited.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 show ing a modified form of theinvention.

Fig. 8 is a transverse section on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing another modified form of theinvention.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a different modification.

In lighting circuits such as those employed for Christmas tree lightingand 40 other similar purposes it is common practice to operate a numberof comparatively low voltage incandescent globes in series. Where such asystem is used the entire series will be broken when any one of thebulbs of the series burns out. The present invention provides means forseparately short-circuiting the various electric light globes so thatthe current in the circuit will be restored when the defective globe isshortcircuited. This makes a convenient means for detecting the burnedout globe so that 1t may be replaced.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the arrangement ofglobes in series. As there shown a plug 10 is provided which may bescrewed into the ordinary electric hght socket, the plug being providedwith a male contact member 11 of well known construction. The contactmember 11 is connected by wires 12 with a similar member 13, which maybe plugged into a multiple block 14. The block 14 has a series circuit15 permanently'connected thereto and attached to the contact memberswithin the block 14 with which the plug 13 engages. Additional circuitsmay be connected to the block 14 by any desired number of male contactmembers 16 which may be plugged into the block 14 to make contact withthe circuit 12. The various additional sets of lamps are thus arrangedin parallel with each other, each parallel set having the usual numberof eight bulbs 17 in series therein. Each of the bulbs 17 as shown inFig. 2 is provided with a device to facilitate short-circuiting thefilament for detecting a defective bulb. In the form shown in Fig. 2 theshort-circuiting mechanism is provided in the socket for receiving thebulb. This socket is provided with the usual threaded terminal member 18connected with one wire 19 of the circuit while the other wire 20 is.connected to a central contact 21. A strip of spring metal 22, which maybe brass. is riveted or otherwise secured to the contact 21. The socketis provided with the usual insulating housing 23. which has a groove 24cut at one side thereof for receiving the spring 22. The end of thespring is covered by an insulating button 25, which projects outside ofthe housing 23. When the button 25 is pressed inwardly it will engagethe threaded socket member 18 and shortcircuit the globe 17.

The modification shown in Fig. 3 is similar to that shown in Fig. 2except that the spring member 22 is terminated within the slot 24 and apin 26 of insulating material extends through an opening in the housingmember 23 having its inner end in contact with the spring 22. When thepin 26 is pressed inwardly the spring 22 will be moved to the brokenline position, thus short-circuiting the socket. The socket may beprovided with a spring bail 27 which engages openings 28 in oppositesides of the housing member 23, the bail 27 being provided with a hook29 by means of which the bulb may be conveniently hung on a Christmastree or other support.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 5 is similar to those previouslydescribed except that the spring 22 is not bent into a slot in thehousing member 23, but projects radially through an opening 30 in theside of the housing member. t will be apparent that a slight downwardpressure on the insulating button 31 at the end of the spring member 22will move the member against the threaded shell 18 at the point 32, thusshort-circuiting the bulb.

The short-circuiting mechanism thus far described may be convenientlysupplied with new Christmas tree outfits. It is sometimes desirable,however, to be able to equip an old circuit having the form of socketspre viously used with means for thus detecting burned out globes. Themodifications shown in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, illustrate electriclight globes provided with means for !facilitating short-circuiting oftheir filaments. It will be apparent that an old circuit may be equippedwith a set of globes of the kind shown in these forms, thus providingmeans for detecting defective globes with such a circuit. In the formshown in Fig. 6 the globe is provided with a male plug 33 for enteringthe socket members of the electric light circuit. A central contact 34is also provided on the socket member which is separated from thethreaded sheet metal portion 33 by an insulating disk 35. A fiber sleeve36 is disposed within the end of the metal part and engages the end ofthe glass bulb 37. The interior of the plug is filled with an insulatingcement 38 by means of which the plug is secured to the bulb 37 A leadwire 39 is connected with the filament 40 and has its outer end extendedthrough the fiber sleeve 36 and the metal portion 33, the end of thewire being soldered to the metal portion to make contact therewith. Theopposite lead wire 41 branches where it emerges from the bulb 37 and onebranch 42 is connected to the contact 34 while the other branch isconnected to a button 43 carried by the sleeve 36. When the plug isthreaded into a socket the rim of the metal member 33 will project fromthe socket a sufiicicnt distance to permit a conductor of any kind to bemoved into contact with the rim of the member 33 and the button 43, thusshort-circuiting the filament. This short-circuiting may be effected bya piece of wire, a coin, the point of a lead pencil, or any otherconvenient conductor.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8 a metal ring 44 isplaced inside the sheet metal member 33 and separated from the member 33by a fiber sleeve 45. One of the leads 46 emerges from the side of thebase portion of the bulb 37 and contacts with the ring 44. The leadcontinues from the point of contact to the end contact member 34. Theother lead 47 is carried through a hole in the sleeve and the member 33and soldered to the outer surface of the member 33. A perforation 48extends through the metal member 33 and the fiber sleeve 45 so that thebulb may be short-circuited by extending a pointed instrument such as apin through the space 48 into contact with the ring 44. Another mannerof short-circuiting the bulb is to move a conductor into contact withthe edges 33 and 44.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5) the leads 49 and 50 arebrought out from the filaments in the usual manner and are carried tothe contact members 33 and 44. The contact member 33 is made slightlylonger than usual and a gap 51 is formed in the member 33 adjacent itsedge to leave a ring 52 insulated from the main portion of the member Alead 53 is brought back from the contact 34 to the ring 52. The bulb maybe short-circuited by bridging the gap 51 with any conductor.

The form shown in Fig. 10 is similar to that of Fig. 9, except that thelead wire 50 is provided'with a branch 54 which leaves wire 50 from apoint within the glass p0rtion of the bulb and extends through the sideof the base of the bulb to the ring 52. It will be noted in Fig. 10 thatthe electric light bulb is provided with a bulge shown at 55. which willassist in retaining a shade or other decoration indicated at 56.

The arrangement shown in the various forms of the invention forshort-circuiting the separate bulbs may also be used for detecting thepresence of voltage in the circuit by making contact with the twoexposed terminals at opposite sides of the filament.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2 the bulb may be shorted byplacing a coin or other conductor in contact with the projecting portionof the spring 22 with the edge of the coin engaging the threaded sleeveof the bulb. The light may also be short-circuited by inserting a smallinstrument such as a pin through the opening and the opening 61 intocontact with the threaded terminal member 18. the pin engaging the sideof the opening 61.

I claim: 1. A socket for an electric light comprismg a dielectrichousing, a sheet metal shell disposed within said housing, an endcontact member disposed within said housing, a spring tongue connectedwith said end contact member and normally out of engagement with saidshell, and a finger-piece on said spring tongue and projecting to theoutside of said housing to facilitate movement of said tongue intoengagement with said shell.

2. An electric light socket comprising a housing of dielectric material,a conductor shell disposed within said housing, a cen-' trally disposedcontact member insulated from said shell, a spring tongue connected withsaid contact member and extending to a position adjacent to but spacedfrom said shell, said housing member having a recess in the wall thereoffor receiving said tongue, and means for pressing said tongue inwardlyto engage said shell.

3. An electric light socket comprising a dielectric housing having acentral recess therein, a conductor shell disposed within said housing,a central contact member secured to said shell at the inner centralportion thereof but insulated from said shell, a spring tongue securedto said contact memher and disposed adjacent said shell but spacedtherefrom, said housing having a slot in the inner side of the wallthereof for receiving said spring tongue, and an insulated fingenpiecesecured to said spring tongue and extending through an opening in saidhousing to facilitate closing said spring tongue against said shell. I

4. A socket for an electric lamp having, in combination, a metal lampreceiving shell, a casing of insulating material therefor, a terminal onsaid shell insulated therefrom, and a spring connected to said terminaland normally out of contact with said shell, a. lead wire connected tosaid terminal and another lead wire connected to said shell, and meanswhereby said spring may be pressed into contact with said shell, thuscompleting the circuit between said lead wires.

5. A socket for an electric lamp having, in combination, a metal lampreceiving shell, a casing of insulating material therefor, a terminal onsaid shell insulated therefrom, and a metal right angle spring normallyout of contact with said shell and connected at one end thereof to saidterminal, and a finger piece on its other end projecting through saidcasing whereby the spring may be pressed into contact'with the shell, alead wire connected to said terminal, and another lead wire connected tosaid shell.

6. In an electric light socket, the combination with a threaded contactmember of a second contact member, an insulating housing for saidcontact members, aspring finger secured to said second contact memberand held out of engagement with said threaded contact member when saidsocket is empty, and means for moving said second contact member intoengagement with said threaded contact member when desired. 7

7. A socket for an electric lamp having, in combination, a metal lampreceiving shell, a casing of insulating material therefor, a terminalcarried by said shell and insulated therefrom, a spring connected tosaid terminal and normally out of contact with said shell, a lead wireconnected to said terminal and another lead wire connected to saidshell, and means whereby said spring may be pressed into contact withsaid shell comprising a member passing through an opening in the body ofsaid shell and independent of said spring.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification on this17th day of August, AD. 1926.

EMIEL P. SEGHERS.

